Average Water
Temperature		 MODEL CONTROLS
Solar Energy [SE]
Water Layer
Temperatures		Heat Transfer [HT]
Water Transparency [WT]
Wind Speed [WS]
Water Diffusion [WD]
Air Temperature [AT]
Initial Surface Temperature [IST]
DATA LOGGER

This is a very qualitative model of the upper layers of the ocean that allows learners to experiment with energy transfer mechanisms. The temperatures shown have no units and only indicate a relative energy scale. The ocean water column is assumed to be incompressible, stably stratified by temperature differences, homogeneous with no advection.

The graphic interface shows layers of the ocean water, color coded for temperature (energy content). To the right of each layer is a number giving the computed temperature of each layer. Values with an asterisk (*) are part of the ocean isothermal mixed layer. Above these values in the same column, is an overall average of the layer temperatures. The important model controls are:

SOLAR ENERGY
This control adjusts the solar intensity from LOW to HIGH. OFF turns off the sun.
HEAT TRANSFER
Energy transfers happen between the sea and the air. These energy transfers happen by evaporation, sensible heat and longwave radiation. These transfers are affected by the air temperature setting (a cool atmosphere absorbs heat from a warm ocean and visa-versa). These mechanisms are very important for energy balancing. This control adjusts the heat transfer from LOW to HIGH. OFF turns off the mechanisms.
WATER TRANSPARENCY
This control determines how far sunlight energy penetrates below the surface of the water. This control adjusts the water transparency/clarity from LOW to HIGH. OFF makes the water very opaque.
WIND SPEED
Wind caused turbulence that mixes water inthe surface layers. This control adjusts the wind speed from LOW to HIGH. OFF turns off the wind.
WATER DIFFUSION
Water undergoes diffusion (spread of water molecules) and conduction (energy transfer between water molecules) that tend to equalize temperatures in the layers. This control adjusts diffusion/conduction from LOW to HIGH. OFF turns off the mechanisms.
AIR TEMPERATURE
This control sets the air temperature above the ocean. This determines the temperature threshold that affects whether heat transfers from ocean to atmosphere or visa-versa. This control adjusts the air temperature from LOW to HIGH. OFF sets the air temperature to zero.
INITIAL SURFACE TEMPERATURE
Use this control to set a starting profile of ocean layer temperatures. This control adjusts the surface temperature from 0 to 14.
STEP
This button runs the model for a fixed time interval.
CYCLE
This button runs the model through a solar cycle Winter-Spring-Summer-Fall.
RESET
This button resets the model layers to the starting temperature state.

References